Assembly member suspended for allegedly dining with Fayose's 'enemies'

10/07/2016

Tell your friends

The lawmaker allegedly met with the enemies of the state in Lagos to collaborate against Fayose's administration.Ayo Fayose, Ekiti state Governor (PremiumTimes)

A member of the Ekiti State House of Assembly has been suspended for 180 days.

The lawmaker, Gboyega Aribisogan, who is the former chairman, House Information Committee, was said to have been suspended for associating with the 'enemies' of the state Governor, Ayodele Fayose.

Aribisogan was also barred from the assembly complex and will lose all the benefits associated with his office, it was learnt.

"His conducts henceforth will determine further actions on him," a report quoted the assembly of declaring.

It was gathered that the suspension was part of the recommendations of a seven-member Ad Hoc panel constituted by the Speaker of the House, Kolawole Oluwawole, which was submitted to the Ethics and Privileges Committee.

The panel investigated allegations of "gross misconduct and acts capable of destabilising the House" which were made against Aribisogan by the House Leader, Tunji Akinyele.

Speaking to newsmen on Thursday, October 6, Samuel Omotosho, who is now the new chairman of the house committee on information, said the lawmaker had "unholy alliance" with those he described as the enemies of the state government.

He said Aribisogan's action is capable of destabilising the peace and orderliness of the state.

The chairman of the Ethics Committee, Fajana Ojoade, also said a thorough investigation revealed that the suspended lawmaker committed the offence.

He said the Deputy Speaker, Segun Adewumi, confirmed both in writing and orally that on Friday, September 30, Aribisogan confessed to him at a popular hotel in Ado-Ekiti that he indeed met with the so-called enemies of the state in Lagos.

Ojoade said that this has "rubbished the integrity and confidence that the Ekiti people have in the State House of Assembly."

"Instead of showing remorse and apologising for his embarrassing actions despite all overwhelming evidence, Hon. Aribisogan persisted in his shallow denials.

"It is hereby determined and declared that Hon. Aribisogan is guilty of these allegations and should be punished adequately to minimise the bad image his shady movements and conducts have caused this honourable house, while also serving as a deterrent to others,” he said.

However, Aribisogan, who has been asked to submit all properties of the House to the Clerk, denied the allegations.

He said the House based it evidence an audio which he described inaudible and superimposed voiceover.

The lawmaker added that at the panel sitting, he discarded the claim that it was his voice in the implicating audio.